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Joshua Cook
Graduent Student Researcher
As an undergrad, I studied the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, and I currently study cancer genetics using bioinformatics with a specific focus on Bayesian methods. I am looking to once again switch disciplines but continue utilizing and improving my Bayesian statistical analysis skills.
Education
Harvard Medical School
Biomedical and Biological Sciences PhD. program
Boston, MA
present - 2017
Studying cancer genetics with bioinformatics and statistical modeling.
University of California, Irvine
B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & B.S. in Chemistry
Irvine, CA
2017 - 2013
Magna Cum Laude with a cumulative GPA of 3.94 and Honors in Biology.
Research Experience
Graduate Research
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA
present - 2017
- Studied the tissue- and allele-specific genetic interactions of KRAS in cancer using thousands of human tumor samples.
- Bayesian hierarchical modeling of CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screens.
Undergraduate Research
Dept. of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, UCI
Irvine, CA
2017 - 2014
- Investigated the patterns and mechanisms of dissemination by which Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate, intracellular parasite, infects a human host.
Research Interneship
Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
2014
- Studied the underlying causes of developmental disruptions within the hypothalamus that are characteristic of Prader-Willi syndrome.
Research Interneship
Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
2012
- Researched the role of liver progenitor cells in these two rare, yet deadly, early onset diseases.
Publications
The origins and genetic interactions of KRAS mutations are allele- and tissue-specific
Nat. Commun.
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2021
Joshua H Cook, Giorgio E M Melloni, Doga C Gulhan, Peter J Park, Kevin M Haigis
Tissue-Specific Oncogenic Activity of KRASA146T
Cancer Discov.
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2019
Emily J Poulin, Asim K Bera, Jia Lu, Yi-Jang Lin, Samantha Dale Strasser, Joao A Paulo, Tannie Q Huang, Carolina Morales, Wei Yan, Joshua Cook, Jonathan A Nowak, Douglas K Brubaker, Brian A Joughin, Christian W Johnson, Rebecca A DeStefanis, Phaedra C Ghazi, Sudershan Gondi, Thomas E Wales, Roxana E Iacob, Lana Bogdanova, Jessica J Gierut, Yina Li, John R Engen, Pedro A Perez-Mancera, Benjamin S Braun, Steven P Gygi, Douglas A Lauffenburger, Kenneth D Westover, Kevin M Haigis
Toxoplasma gondii disrupts $$1 integrin signaling and focal adhesion formation during monocyte hypermotility
J. Biol. Chem.
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2018
Joshua H Cook, Norikiyo Ueno, Melissa B Lodoen
Loss of Magel2 impairs the development of hypothalamic Anorexigenic circuits
Hum. Mol. Genet.
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2016
Julien Maillard, Soyoung Park, Sophie Croizier, Charlotte Vanacker, Joshua H Cook, Vincent Prevot, Maithe Tauber, Sebastien G Bouret
Software
TODO
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Presentations
Cancer Research UK Trainee Meeting (oral): Modeling CRISPR-Cas9 screens to identify tissue-specific patterns.
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September 2021
Harvard Medical School Cancer Signaling Meeting (oral): Tissue- and allele-specific genetic interactions of KRAS.
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May 2021
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Genetics Research in Progress (oral): The genetic interaction network of mutationally activated KRAS.
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March 2020
Cancer Research UK Progress Meeting (oral): Genetic description of oncogenic KRAS mutations.
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October 2019
UCI Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Symposium (poster): Toxoplasma gondii-induced hypermotility in human primary monocytes through the dysregulation of β1 integrins.
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May 2016
UCI Excellence in Research (poster): Toxoplasma gondii-induced hypermotility in human primary monocytes through the dysregulation of β1 integrins.
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April 2016
UCI Excellence in Research (oral): Toxoplasma gondii-induced hypermotility in human primary monocytes through the dysregulation of β1 integrins.
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April 2016
West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference (oral): Hypermotility of human primary monocytes through the dysregulation of β1 integrins by Toxoplasma gondii.
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April 2016
UCI Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Symposium (oral): Destabilization of cell adhesion in human monocytes infected with Toxoplasma gondii.
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May 2015
Teaching Experience
Private Tutoring
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Cambridge, MA
September 2018 - June 2021
I tutored a high school student every evening. In any one night, our topics would range from history to physics to computer science. Mainly, I ensured that he understood the material and helped him grasp topics he found difficult. While I had a good handle on most of the information covered, sometimes his course material stretched well beyond my comfort level (for example, his Mandarin courses). When I found myself in these scenarios, I probed his understanding by asking questions and having him teach me the material.
Teaching Assistant
TODO
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Tutor
UCI Learning and Academic Resource Center
Irvine, CA
August 2015 - September 2016
I led group tutoring sessions for undergraduate students as part of the Learning and Academic Resource Center (LARC) at UCI. I have tutored an Introductory Biology course, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Calculus.
Leadership and Mentoring
Irvine Little League Manager
Little League Baseball
Irvine, CA
February 2016 - June 2016, January 2017 - July 2017
My first year, I co-managed a Majors division (11 - 12 year olds) baseball team in the Irvine Ranch Little League and co-managed the 11 year-old’s All Star Team over the summer. My second season, I managed my own team in the AA division (8-10 year olds). I fulfilled several administrative roles including attending league meetings, organizing parent volunteers, and scheduling practices and games. My goal as a manager of these young boys was to emulate maturity, determination, and level-headedness, especially when under pressure. Excitingly, my AA team was season champion and won the Irvine City Championship Tournament!
Tutor Advisor
UCI Learning and Academic Resource Center
Irvine, CA
March 2016 - June 2017
I instructed LARC tutors in improving their tutorials and teaching methods. In addition, I spent a lot of time interacting with the tutors to make sure they were managing their course load and job in an efficient and healthy manner. I had an administrative role, as well. In particular, I orchestrated the scheduling and creation of LARC tutorials and handled day-to-day problems that inevitably arose.
Peer Mentor
UCI Campuswide Honors Program
Irvine, CA
August 2016 - June 2017
I assisted four incoming freshmen in acclimating to UC Irvine. I supported them by alerting them to useful resources, answering questions they have about classes, and helping them work through a stressful period in their academic career.
Peer Scholars Mentor
Scholarship and Opportunities Program (SOP)
Irvine, CA
September 2016 - January 2017
I helped three UCI Barry Goldwater Scholarship applicants prepare their applications. Though the applicants had research experience and strong academic standing, they are inexperienced in drafting national scholarship applications. As I had won the Goldwater Scholarship and applied for the Churchill Scholarship and Fulbright Fellowship, my goal was to guide these students through the process and assist them in crafting a strong application.
Honors and Awards
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Honorable Mention
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April 2019
Honors in Biological Sciences
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June 2017
Phi Lambda Upsilon
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May 2017
A national chemistry honorary society into which a few select graduating chemistry students are invited.
American Chemical Society Polymer Education Award
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May 2017
Jayne Unzelman Scholarship ($3,000)
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May 2017
Undergraduate student, academic excellence and service to the School of Biological Sciences and/or the University, and service to the community.
UC Irvine Chancellor’s Award of Distinction
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May 2017
Phi Beta Kappa
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May 2017
Fulbright Fellowship Alternate
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March 2017
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) Fellow and Grant Recipient ($400)
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January 2017
Malcolm R. Stacey Memorial Scholarship ($500)
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October 2016
Awarded to meritorious students of Jewish descent with financial need.
UCI Alumni Association 2016-17 Distinguished Anteaters Award ($1,500)
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June 2016
The anteater is the UCI mascot.
Summer Undergraduate Research Program ($1,300)
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June 2016
UCI School of Bio Sci Brian Atwood Scholarship ($3,000)
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May 2016
Awarded to a Junior-level Biological Sciences major who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in both scholarship and service to the UCI community.
Robert Ernst Prize for Excellence in Research in the Biological Sciences ($250)
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May 2016
Excellence in Research
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April 2016
A UCI School of Biological Sciences undergraduate competition whereby each student submits a manuscript of their research project, gives an oral presentation, and holds a poster session.
Barry Goldwater Scholar ($7,500)
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March 2016
UROP Fellow and Grant Recipient ($500)
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January 2016
UROP Honorary Fellowship
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June 2015
2015 UROP Fellow and Grant Recipient ($500)
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January
UCI Dean’s Honor List (all 12 academic quarters)
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2016 - 2014
UCI Campuswide Honors Program
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present - 2014